Surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy for characterization of COVID-19 biosensors

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Motivation. There is a critical technological gap in reliable, very rapid, and robust detection of coronaviruses, including COVID-19. Electrochemical-based sensing methods are appealing for clinical diagnostics, due to simplicity, fast response, minimum label requirement, and low cost. Binding of target cDNAs and RNAs to DNA probes immobilized on the electrode causes changes in the mass transfer of redox species and alters electrical currents. There are still factors affecting biosensors' clinical performance that have not been systematically investigated. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy is a commonly used technique for biosensor characterization and for determining binding affinity between target analytes and surface-immobilized biorecognition probes. SPR can potentially be used to differentiate between non-specific binding of random targets to the biorecognition probe and non-specific adsorption of matrix contaminants on the monolayer. Aims. The objective of the proposed project is to develop and validate DNA probes with high affinity and specificity to viral RNA of SARS-CoV-2. At the end of this project, effective DNA probes and new electrochemical sensing protocols will be developed, which will be applicable in electrochemical biosensors for the rapid diagnosis of COVID-19. Aim #1: SPR-based bio-affinity analysis of DNA probes and target molecules. Aim #2: Electrochemical DNA biosensor development using optimized DNA probes developed in #Aim 1. Impact. The DNA probes developed and validated using the SPR technology of the partner will be used by electrochemical biosensors for the rapid diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 in Canada. The DNA probes and biosensing protocols developed in this project will contribute to implementing new testing and production strategies to increase the quality control of the next generation of electrochemical biosensors and diagnostic tools.